Golf practice swing weight

ABSTRACT

This practice weight is basically a disk of molded rubber based plastic material having a circular rim in which a metal ring is encased concentrically with the disk, the disk having a center hole and radial slits extending therefrom to the rim portion to provide resilient friction tabs or fingers that are yieldable in both directions permitting slipping the practice weight on over the handle grip down to the head for practice swings and later removal of the practice weight in the reverse direction, the tabs or fingers engaging the hosel firmly enough to hold the practice weight in place properly during the practice swings. An elongated radially outwardly extending rubber based plastic tab can be molded in one piece with the disk ending in an outwardly tapered pointed wedge, this tab being long enough to permit bending it into a semicircle behind the head after the practice weight is in place at or adjacent the head on an iron, when the pointed end of the wedge is forced through the center hole of the disk upwardly far enough to jam it on the hosel of the club and thereby fasten the practice weight securely against slipping down past the heel of the club head in practice swings and coming into contact with the ground.

United States Patent Burkart et al.

[ Mar. 7, 1972 [54] GOLF PRACTICE SWING WEIGHT [72] Inventors: Jouph A. Burkart, 125 Turner PL; Gerald A. O'Connell, 118 Nichols Drive, both of Sycamore, 111. 60178 [22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 20,722

[52] US. Cl. ..273/194 A, 272/84 [5 1] Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/36 [58] Field olSearch ..273/193, 194, 186, 26, 106,

Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attomey-Andrew F. Wintercorn [57] ABSTRACT This practice weight is basically a disk of molded rubber based plastic material having a circular rim in which a metal ring is encased concentrically with the disk, the disk having a center hole and radial slits extending therefrom to the rim portion to provide resilient friction tabs or fingers that are yieldable in both directions permitting slipping the practice weight on over the handle grip down to the head for practice swings and later removal of the practice weight in the reverse direction, the tabs or fingers engaging the hosel firmly enough to hold the practice weight in place properly during the practice swings. An elongated radially outwardly extending rubber based plastic tab can be molded in one piece with the disk ending in an outwardly tapered pointed wedge, this tab being long enough to permit bending it into a semicircle behind the head after the practice weight is in place at or adjacent the head on an iron, when the pointed end of the wedge is forced through the center hole of the disk upwardly far enough to jam it on the hosel of the club and thereby fasten the practice weight securely against slipping down past the heel of the club head in practice swings and coming into contact with the ground.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAR have 3,647, 220

IN VE/V T095.

JOSEPH A. BUR/(ART 8 GERALD A. O'COIVNELL ATTORNEY GOLF PRACTICE SWING WEIGHT This invention relates to an improved golf club practice weight small enough to be carried in ones pocket when not in use and designed to be slipped down over the handle grip to the club head.

The practice weight is in the form of a metal ring concentrically encased in the rim portion of a molded rubber based plastic disk having a center hole with evenly spaced radial slits extending therefrom to the rim portion providing resilient friction tabs that yield enough to permit slipping the weight down easily over the handle grip to the head end and thereafter serve to hold the weight in place properly during the practice swings, the removal of the weight later being again an easy matter by virtue of the yieldable tabs.

The plastic disk just described is nicely adapted to use on woods without any additional feature. However, for irons we prefer to add an elongated radially outwardly extending rubber based plastic tab molded in one piece with the disk and ending in an outwardly tapering pointed wedge, this tab being long enough to permit bending it into a semicircle behind the head after the practice weight is in place at or adjacent the head and permit forcing the pointed end of the wedge through the center hole of the disk far enough to jam it on the hosel of the club and thereby fasten the practice weight securely against slipping down onto the heel of the club head in practice swings and coming into contact with the ground.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a face view of a golf practice weight made in accordance with our invention, showing in dotted lines the metal ring encased in the circular rim portion;

FIG. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in cross section showing the practice weight applied to the hosel of a wood;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of practice weight designed especially for irons, but adapted to be used in the same way as the practice weight of FIG. 1 on woods;

FIG. 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing use of the modified form of practice weight on an iron.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts through the views.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, the reference numeral 10 designates the practice weight generally, consisting of a metal ring 11 formed from a piece of steel wire, the ends of which are welded together, as indicated at 12, this ring being encased in the rim portion 13 of the disk 14 that preferably is molded of Kraton, which is a rubber based plastic material having characteristics similar to neoprene. As appears in FIG. 1, the ring 11 is concentric with the disk 14 and its rim 13 and the disk has a center hole 15 in the thinner walled inner portion 16 where there are evenly spaced slits 17 extending radially from the center hole outwardly to the rim, whereby to define resilient friction tabs or fingers 18 that permit slipping the practice weight downwardly along the shaft 19 and over the hosel 20 to a position next to the head 21 of a wood, the tabs then serving to hold the practice weight in place properly during practice swings. Afterward the tabs 18 flex in the opposite direction when the practice weight is being removed by movement in the opposite direction along the shaft 19. Of course, the resilient material of disk 14 safeguards the golf club against any danger of denting or scratching any part of the club in practice swings or in applying the practice weight or removing it. Keeping the ring 11 in as nearly concentric relationship to the lower end of the shaft 19 is, of course, highly important from the standpoint of a correct swing and that is assured by the present construction.

The modified form of FIGS. 4 to 6 is useful equally well with woods and irons and has the tab extension 22 with the pointed wedge end 23.

The disk portion 14 is of identical construction to the disk 14 and, of course, includes the metal ring 11 encased in the rim portion 13 and the flexible friction tabs 18 are in the same radial relationship to the center hole 15 that slips over the hosel 20' of the iron 24 after the practice weight has been slipped down over the shaft 19' similarly as in the other illustration, the difference here being that the tab 22 is bent into a semicircle as seen in FIG. 6 so as to enter the point of the wedge 23 through the center hole 15 and force it up far enough to jam between the hosel 20 and the adjacent tabs 18 to fasten the practice weight securely against slipping down onto the heel of the club head in practice swings and coming into contact with the ground. This modified form is to be used on woods the same as the other form, in which case the projecting tab 22 should be directed forwardly over the head 21 or rearwardly with respect to the head so as not to come into contact with the ground in making practice swings.

Both forms are the size to fit nicely in the player's pocket when not in use. It is believed that most purchasers will want to use these practice weights occasionally during a round of golf. The practice weight can, of course, also be carried in a pocket of the golf bag if a player intends to use it only between rounds.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of our invention. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, this is only for the purpose of illustration, and it is to be understood that various modifications in structure will occur to a person skilled in this art.

We claim:

1. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a metal weight ring of a diameter that is small in relation to the length dimension of the head but large in relation to the diameter of the shaft and adapted to be assembled on the lower end of the shaft over its upper end, and means in substantially coplanar relationship to said ring and extending radially inwardly relative to the ring for supporting said ring in a fixed substantially concentric relationship to said shaft adjacent the club head, said means being in the form of flexible and resilient fingers that are yieldable to permit passing the device over the upper end of the shaft, the fingers thereafter springing back to substantially coplanar relationship to said ring and frictionally gripping said shaft to resist axial displacement from a set position on said shaft.

2. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim I wherein the last-mentioned means includes cushioning means on the ring shielding the club head from contact with the metal ring.

3. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim I wherein the last-mentioned means includes cushioning means on the ring shielding the club head from contact with the metal ring, said cushioning means also shielding the shaft from such contact.

4. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim I wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a rubberlike disk having a rim portion in which the ring is encased in substantially concentric relationship to a spreadable center hole provided in the disk through which the shaft of the club is entered.

5. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a rubberlike disk having a rim portion in which the ring is encased in substantially concentric relationship to a center hole provided in the disk through which the shaft of the club is entered, said disk having a plurality of substantially radial slits provided therein extending outwardly from the center hole thereby defining substantially radial tabs or fingers that are resilient and yieldable in either direction, and the center hole being small in relation to the diameter of the shaft so that said tabs or fingers provide friction grips to hold said practice swing weight in operative relationship to the shaft and head.

6. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a metal weight ring and a rubberlike disk having a rim portion in which the ring is encased in substantially concentric relationship to a center hole provided in the disk through which the shaft of the club is entered, said rim having integral therewith an outwardly extending flexible tab that is adapted to be flexed inwardly and is long enough so that its outer end portion can be thrust into the center hole to help secure the practice swing weight in its operative position on the club.

7. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 6, wherein the outer flexible tab has an enlarged wedge provided on the outer end thereof for wedging engagement in the center hole.

8. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 6 wherein said disk has a plurality of substantially radial slits provided therein extending outwardly from the center hole thereby defining substantially radial tabs that are resilient and yieldable in either direction, and the center hole being small in relation to the diameter of the shaft so that said tabs provide friction grips to hold said practice swing weight in operative relationship to the shaft and head, the flexible outer tab being thrust into the center hole between the shaft and the inner end of at least one of the other tabs, the outer tab being adapted to be cut off next to the disk when the practice swing weight attachment is to be used only on woods.

9. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a metal weight ring and a rubberlike disk having a rim portion in which the ring is encased in substantially concentric relationship to a center hole provided in the disk through which the shaft of the club is entered, said rim having integral therewith an outwardly extending flexible tab that is adapted to be flexed inwardly and is long enough so that its outer end portion can be thrust into the center hole to help secure the practice swing weight in its operative position on the club, said disk having a plurality of substantially radial slits provided therein extending outwardly from the center hole thereby defining substantially radial-tabs that are resilient and yieldable in either direction, and the center hole being small in relation to the diameter of the shaft so that said tabs provide friction grips to hold said practice swing weight in operative relationship to the shaft and head, the flexible outer tab being thrust into the center hole between the shaft and the inner end of at least one of the other tabs.

10. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 9, wherein the outer flexible tab has an enlarged wedge provided on the outer end thereof for wedging engagement in the center hole.

11. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a rubberlike disk with a center hole of approximately a size to fit on the shaft at the head end but spreadable enough to permit passing it over the larger diameter handle end of the shaft of the club down to the head end, said disk having a metal weight ring of substantially larger diameter than said center hole encased therein substantially concentric therewith.

12. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 11, including wedge means engageable between the head end of the shaft and the center hole to fasten the first-mentioned ring in fixed relationship to the shaft.

13. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a rubberlike disk with a center hole of approximately a size to fit on the shaft at the head end but spreadable enough to permit passing it over the larger diameter handle end of the shaft of the club down to the head end, said disk having a metal weight ring of substantially larger diameter than said center hole encased therein substantially concentric therewith, and wedge means engageable in the center hole to hold the disk in fixed relationship to the shaft. 7

14. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a metal weight ring with a center opening large enough to permit passing it over the handle end of the shaft down to the head end, and rubberlike cushioning and supporting means for holding said ring in substantially concentric relationship to the lower end of said shaft. 

1. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a metal weight ring of a diameter that is small in relation to the length dimension of the head but large in relation to the diameter of the shaft and adapted to be assembled on the lower end of the shaft over its upper end, and means in substantially coplanar relationship to said ring and extending radially inwardly relative to the ring for supporting said ring in a fixed substantiAlly concentric relationship to said shaft adjacent the club head, said means being in the form of flexible and resilient fingers that are yieldable to permit passing the device over the upper end of the shaft, the fingers thereafter springing back to substantially coplanar relationship to said ring and frictionally gripping said shaft to resist axial displacement from a set position on said shaft.
 2. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last-mentioned means includes cushioning means on the ring shielding the club head from contact with the metal ring.
 3. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last-mentioned means includes cushioning means on the ring shielding the club head from contact with the metal ring, said cushioning means also shielding the shaft from such contact.
 4. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a rubberlike disk having a rim portion in which the ring is encased in substantially concentric relationship to a spreadable center hole provided in the disk through which the shaft of the club is entered.
 5. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a rubberlike disk having a rim portion in which the ring is encased in substantially concentric relationship to a center hole provided in the disk through which the shaft of the club is entered, said disk having a plurality of substantially radial slits provided therein extending outwardly from the center hole thereby defining substantially radial tabs or fingers that are resilient and yieldable in either direction, and the center hole being small in relation to the diameter of the shaft so that said tabs or fingers provide friction grips to hold said practice swing weight in operative relationship to the shaft and head.
 6. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a metal weight ring and a rubberlike disk having a rim portion in which the ring is encased in substantially concentric relationship to a center hole provided in the disk through which the shaft of the club is entered, said rim having integral therewith an outwardly extending flexible tab that is adapted to be flexed inwardly and is long enough so that its outer end portion can be thrust into the center hole to help secure the practice swing weight in its operative position on the club.
 7. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 6, wherein the outer flexible tab has an enlarged wedge provided on the outer end thereof for wedging engagement in the center hole.
 8. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 6 wherein said disk has a plurality of substantially radial slits provided therein extending outwardly from the center hole thereby defining substantially radial tabs that are resilient and yieldable in either direction, and the center hole being small in relation to the diameter of the shaft so that said tabs provide friction grips to hold said practice swing weight in operative relationship to the shaft and head, the flexible outer tab being thrust into the center hole between the shaft and the inner end of at least one of the other tabs, the outer tab being adapted to be cut off next to the disk when the practice swing weight attachment is to be used only on woods.
 9. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a metal weight ring and a rubberlike disk having a rim portion in which the ring is encased in substantially concentric relationship to a center hole provided in the disk through which the shaft of the club is entered, said rim having integral therewith an outwardly extending flexible tab that is adapted to be flexed inwardly and is long enough so that its outer end portion can be thrust into the center hole to help secure the practice swing weight in its operative position on the club, said disk having A plurality of substantially radial slits provided therein extending outwardly from the center hole thereby defining substantially radial tabs that are resilient and yieldable in either direction, and the center hole being small in relation to the diameter of the shaft so that said tabs provide friction grips to hold said practice swing weight in operative relationship to the shaft and head, the flexible outer tab being thrust into the center hole between the shaft and the inner end of at least one of the other tabs.
 10. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 9, wherein the outer flexible tab has an enlarged wedge provided on the outer end thereof for wedging engagement in the center hole.
 11. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a rubberlike disk with a center hole of approximately a size to fit on the shaft at the head end but spreadable enough to permit passing it over the larger diameter handle end of the shaft of the club down to the head end, said disk having a metal weight ring of substantially larger diameter than said center hole encased therein substantially concentric therewith.
 12. A golf practice swing attachment as set forth in claim 11, including wedge means engageable between the head end of the shaft and the center hole to fasten the first-mentioned ring in fixed relationship to the shaft.
 13. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a rubberlike disk with a center hole of approximately a size to fit on the shaft at the head end but spreadable enough to permit passing it over the larger diameter handle end of the shaft of the club down to the head end, said disk having a metal weight ring of substantially larger diameter than said center hole encased therein substantially concentric therewith, and wedge means engageable in the center hole to hold the disk in fixed relationship to the shaft.
 14. For use on a golf club having a shaft and a head thereon, a practice swing weight attachment comprising a metal weight ring with a center opening large enough to permit passing it over the handle end of the shaft down to the head end, and rubberlike cushioning and supporting means for holding said ring in substantially concentric relationship to the lower end of said shaft. 